Baseball

Checketts to Speak at Annual Foresters Hot Stove Dinner This Friday

Feb 03, 2014

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Before undertaking his third year leading Gaucho baseball, head coach Andrew Checketts will give a season preview at the Santa Barbara Foresters annual Hot Stove Banquet this Friday, Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia will headline the special night which will also include the four-time NABC National Champion Foresters inducting another Hall of Fame class.

This is the fourth year the Foresters and Gauchos have kicked off baseball season in the Santa Barbara community with a dinner and keynote speaker. Past speakers have included Dodger legends Tommy Lasorda, Scioscia and current Pittsburgh Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 for adults and $25 for up to two kids. To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, visit the Foresters website here.

Season Tickets for Gaucho baseball on now on-sale online or by calling 805-893-UCSB (8272). Last season, UCSB returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 12 years after placing second in the Big West Conference.

Another impressive schedule in 2014 has Coach Checketts' squad facing teams with a combined 73 appearances in the College World Series and 12 National Championships. The Gauchos are slated to do battle with a number of nationally renowned teams, including the 2013 College World Series runner-up and preseason No. 2 Mississippi State, 2013 National Champions and preseason No. 15 UCLA, No. 24 Arizona, No. 27 Cal Poly, No. 34 Wichita State and top-ranked Cal State Fullerton. The Gauchos open at home Feb. 14 against No. 10 North Carolina State, who also made the College World Series last year.